Report: Alvaro Fernandez called up by Uruguay (UPDATED)

UPDATE 12:18 a.m. — A few reporters got the chance to catch up with Fernandez after the Portland game Saturday night. I asked him about the reports of being called up and how it might affect his goal of playing the Copa America. Here are his responses, through a translator.

(Can you speak to the reports of being called up by Uruguayan national team?) “I heard it from the media, from the press. It’s still not official. The point is that the coach can block international players from playing abroad. Then he comes with the list of 23 and the final definitive list.”

(You’ve mentioned that playing the Copa America is one of your goals for this year. Wouldn’t this help you achieve that goal?) “Of course with those two matches before the Copa America, it gives a chance (for selection) for those that participate in those games. I hope I can participate, because the ones that don’t participate have less of a chance.”

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Sounders FC midfielder Alvaro Fernandez has been called up by the Uruguayan national team for a May 29 friendly against Germany, according to this AP report. Coach Oscar Tabarez called up 23 players for the Copa America warm-up.

International stars like Liverpool forward Luis Suarez and Atletico Madrid striker Diego Forlan are included in the squad as well.

Fernandez was a member of Uruguay’s 2010 World Cup team, which finished fourth in South Africa last summer.

The Copa America takes place in Argentina this July and Fernandez told me a few months ago that one of his major goals for this season was to represent Uruguay in that tournament.

Seattle has a home game against Dallas on May 25 and a road game at Real Salt Lake on May 28.